In the Chicago Med ER, Leslie leaned against the counter and watched Allison fill out the forms for the latest patient drop-off.

"What?" her PIC asked without looking up or pausing in her scribbles. "You can't tell if I'm filling out the paperwork wrong from over there."

"You seem relaxed. Which is nice since we're here."

Stiffening, Allison's face blanked as she suddenly became aware of what the other woman noticed. She then smirked and said, "You're right. I guess that's the sign that I've… well, that's good. Thanks for pointing it out."

Leslie grinned from ear to ear in return.

"Done," Allison said as she handed the paperwork over to the waiting nurse. "Ready to go?"

Leslie held up the car keys with a jingle. "Ready."

The paramedic team had taken two steps towards the exit when a male voice shouted, "Allison!"

Leslie instantly felt a sense of dread at Lucas's voice and she didn't want to turn around but Allison had already responded.

"Hey, Honey!" he greeted as he rushed up and gave Allison a kiss on the lips.

Allison blushed and blinked, but kissed him back with a smile. "Lucas! I didn't know you were nearby."

"I've got spies in ER now. They let me know when you're here!" he explained with a grin. "I was hoping you'd make a point of coming up to see me before you leave."

"Oh, yeah," Allison said, clearly surprised by what was an obvious comment. "Lucas, you remember Leslie?"

Her partner forced a smile and extended a hand.

"Of course!" he said, heartily shaking her hand. "I've really got to meet more of Allison's co-workers and friends. She's told me so much that I have to put other faces to names now."

Allison's face suddenly lit up with an idea. "We're having a birthday party for our chief at Molly's tomorrow night. You should stop by and meet everyone at once."

"What? Me just stop by alone?" he said with mocked horror. "How about we show up together? Date number five?"

Four and a half, Leslie thought to herself. But who's counting?

"Sounds good," Allison said. "I'll call you later with details."

"Sure – Oh hey, Kendra said you hadn't submitted your application yet."

Allison raised an eyebrow in surprise and answered carefully. "There's still plenty of time before the deadline."

"Well, yeah, but this should be a no-brainer. The sooner you do it, the sooner they'll know how many slots they have left to fill from the other applicants." He gave her another quick kiss and said, "I'll haunt you until you do it. It's a Bradford thing!"

"Great," Allison responded with a mild smile that Leslie could tell bordered on sarcasm.

"See ya, Les," Lucas said with a parting nod.

"Bye," she responded even though he had already had started walking away.

With a barely suppressed frown, Leslie finished pulling the caps off the latest batch of beer bottles.

"The savages are almost ready for the next round," Gabby said as she came for another tray load.

"Almost ready," she responded, shooting a pointed glance at the laughing and chatting crowd gathered under the "Happy Birthday" banner.

"Um," Gabby said carefully, "That's not a party face, Shay. Is it Rafferty's date? He seems like a good guy to me."

"Yep," Leslie responded flatly. She motioned to the guys gathered around him in jokes and laughter. "You know, if you turn the clock back to junior high, that group would look like the cool kids swarming the class geek for help on their papers. With the exception of Allison, who was the popular girl who just happened to be nice to him."

Gabby studied for a moment and then frowned. "Okay, that's a scarily accurate picture. But also very bitchy. You're projecting your bitter post-breakup vibes upon to others. You can't tell me that you're missing being with Devon."

"No, it's not that. He's just so charming and perfect… but he's also pushy and arrogant. I can see it even if she can't. I just don't want her to be hurt. She's been through a hell of a lot."

Gabby stared at her for a moment and then said gently, "Leslie, he's got very reasonable man flaws. I know you're protective of her but you have to admit it's nice to see her smile like that. Plus, she tried to support you and Devon. You owe her one."

Knowing she had to ease up, Leslie forced a smile and said, "You're right. I'll listen to your hetero wisdom."

Then the cell phone at her waist buzzed with an incoming text. Definitely enthused, she pulled it out and glanced at it. Ugh.

"Okay, now that's a worse expression," Gabby commented. "What's so bad?"

Leslie just shook her head and put the phone away. "Just another sign that the news of our breakup has circulated among Devon's so-called friends. Yet another 'call me' text."

"Really?! Wow, that's skanky. You're like a widower in a nursing home."

"Tell me about it," she griped as she finished piling opened beers on the serving tray.

With a barely hidden grim expression of his own, Otis came to dump off the bin of empty beer bottles. "Is the night over yet?"

Gabby remarked, "Hey, now why are you a grump-puss? We're raking in the bucks with this event."

Taking a sip of her own beer, Leslie snorted, "Otis just met the competition, is all."

Gabby's brain immediately put the puzzles pieces together. With triumphantly glee, she hissed, "You're the one that has a crush on Rafferty!"

Otis rolled his eyes in exasperation and hissed, "Thanks a lot, Shay!"

Leslie now felt guilty and gave him a sincerely apologetic look. "Sorry, dude. Gabby's got first access to most of my secrets. You should have known that before choosing to make me your wing-woman. It's a miracle that I kept it from her this long."

"Okay, lesson definitely learned." Otis glanced over at the couple in question that were standing arm in arm. "Looks like this one has staying power."

"You know, Otis," Gabby said as she put her arm around his shoulder in support. "The concept of you and her as a couple is nice. But if she spoke geek, we all would have seen it by now. You're going to drive her nuts very, very quickly. And just as quickly she would have disappointed the geek in you. So it's best to accept what just isn't meant to be."

"Dawson, that sucked as a pep talk," he retorted. "You happily engaged people are supposed to encourage romance. I can understand Shay being an anti-cupid right now, but you don't have an excuse."

Leslie poured him a shot and handed it over. "Trust me, Otis. You're not on Allison's radar at all. She's never asked about you. Accept it like a man and just know that's it's better to forfeit the game before it starts than striking out publically and completely."

He looked at her, at the drink, and then took it. "Unfortunately, your state of mind just makes you more believable."

"Again, sorry, dude. At least the Fire Academy Dinner is Saturday. After that, you won't be forced to hang out with her any more than you have to."

She glanced back over at the crowd and saw that Allison had been looking at her. After a moment of eye-contact, she gave her a small smile that was genuine this time.

Allison returned the smile before turning her attention back to the men conversing before her.